Before I post any of this, I just want to say that I know that buns are buns and that buns do what buns do.
But is it possible to train them out of some of their behaviours. The three that worry me are:
Mounting: My female bunny regularly tries to mount my male bunny. He runs away, she chases him, she sometimes nips him. And then he will usually run off and for some reason she'll let him be.
They've only ever had one fight, and it was before they were re-bonded after the separation for their spay/neuter, and it was precipitated by her incessant mounting.
It doesn't lead to fighting, but it just feels so oppressive to him. Can I do anything to dissuade her?
Gnawing: They are gnawing their run (and now, their hutch), and they are very efficiently destroying both. Is there anything I can do to dissuade them? I can't allow them free run all the time, and I don't have a garden which will allow a shed with attached run. Although I have put down a deposit on a new shed for them to live in and am waiting for a delivery date (it was due to be delivered a couple of weeks ago). I am worried that having spent a lot of money on a shed for them they will destroy it. How can I dissuade the gnawing and preserve their new shed?
Thumping: He thumps. I don't know if it's for attention, but I don't think it is and because it's so loud, even if it's the early hours of the morning I'll rush out to calm him down. If he's having the thumps he always seems really tense, so I just stroke him and talk gently to him till he relaxes a bit. I don't give him treats to eat or anything because I don't want him to think he's being rewarded for thumping, but I hate to think of him being genuinely scared. I am concerned that once the shed arrives I might not be able to hear him if he's scared. Is there anything I can do?
I know buns are buns. And at the end of the day I just want them to be happy and safe.
But is it possible to train them out of some of their behaviours. The three that worry me are:
Mounting: My female bunny regularly tries to mount my male bunny. He runs away, she chases him, she sometimes nips him. And then he will usually run off and for some reason she'll let him be.
They've only ever had one fight, and it was before they were re-bonded after the separation for their spay/neuter, and it was precipitated by her incessant mounting.
It doesn't lead to fighting, but it just feels so oppressive to him. Can I do anything to dissuade her?
Gnawing: They are gnawing their run (and now, their hutch), and they are very efficiently destroying both. Is there anything I can do to dissuade them? I can't allow them free run all the time, and I don't have a garden which will allow a shed with attached run. Although I have put down a deposit on a new shed for them to live in and am waiting for a delivery date (it was due to be delivered a couple of weeks ago). I am worried that having spent a lot of money on a shed for them they will destroy it. How can I dissuade the gnawing and preserve their new shed?
Thumping: He thumps. I don't know if it's for attention, but I don't think it is and because it's so loud, even if it's the early hours of the morning I'll rush out to calm him down. If he's having the thumps he always seems really tense, so I just stroke him and talk gently to him till he relaxes a bit. I don't give him treats to eat or anything because I don't want him to think he's being rewarded for thumping, but I hate to think of him being genuinely scared. I am concerned that once the shed arrives I might not be able to hear him if he's scared. Is there anything I can do?
I know buns are buns. And at the end of the day I just want them to be happy and safe.